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I: Introduction

New Options for the '90s -- Partnering

Just as the changes in higher education's climate, operating practices, and information technology base have changed the nature of the internal collaboration on systems projects, these factors have also altered the options that colleges and universities will face with respect to external collaboration.

While in the past the options facing systems planners revolved around the decision of whether to buy an "off-the-shelf" package or to build a system in-house "from scratch," in the late 1990s and beyond the decision is rarely likely to be bipolar. Today, the costs and complexity of implementing new systems suggest the need to ask, "With whom will I need to partner?"

Instead of choosing among decisions at the "build or buy" extremes, today's decision-makers are increasingly faced with a continuum of partnership options, whether building or buying. These include co-developing new software with an industry partner, customizing (to a lesser or greater extent) existing packaged software in-house with an industry partner, and developing software with multiple industry and/or institutional partners as part of a broad collaborative effort. In-house development of applications also involves a partnership -- between internal information systems professionals and staff in the business office and other finance areas.

In many ways the decisions about whether to partner, with whom to partner, and how to manage joint ventures represent the moments of truth for any project of this kind. The effective conduct of business alliances and partnerships is a critical determinant of success or failure for those who choose this option. This is a complex topic and is largely outside the scope of this book. We encourage you under all conditions to cultivate at your institution those skills related to administering complex agreements and multi-lateral partnerships.

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